Caldwell Says Not To Read Into Mosley Taking First-Team Reps Over Fairley

Nick Fairley #98 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a fumble in the second quarter by Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in the during their 2012 NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) – Detroit Lions defensive tackle C.J. Mosley worked primarily with the starters in Monday’s practice, while usual starter Nick Fairley worked with the second string.

Fairley, whose fifth-year option the Lions declined to pick up after an inconsistent 2013 season by the lineman, refused to talk with reporters after practice.

Mosley did not want to make too much of the redistribution of reps, and he said he does not know if he is a starter.

“I don’t worry about that,” Mosley said. “I just go in when they call me.”

Head coach Jim Caldwell was also noncommittal about what it meant that Mosley was working with the ones.

“What you see more so than anything else is we decide how we rep guys,” Caldwell said. “Doesn’t necessarily mean they’re one, they’re two, they’re three or whatever it might be. It just depends on the situation. Don’t read a whole lot into it, all right?”

Caldwell remained vague in discussing whether he was comfortable with Fairley’s weight, which Lions general manager Martin Mayhew mentioned as an issue during the offseason.

“[Fairley]’s a big man,” Caldwell said. “He’s got some strength and ability. He can probably carry more weight than most people at his size because of his strength, and he’s working at getting to a comfortable weight, I think, and I think he’s on his way there.”

For his part, Mosley said practicing with the first-string defense – and thus practicing against the first-string offense – does not make much of a difference to him in terms of preparing to play on Sundays.

“It’s my 10th year,” Mosley said with a chuckle. “I’ve seen a lot more talented guys.”